Subj : Wx Terms (B)(4) To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Fri Nov 03 2017 09:32 am Breakers Waves that break, displaying white water. Depends on wave steepness and bottom bathymetry. Breakup In hydrologic terms, the time when a river whose surface has been frozen from bank to bank for a significant portion of its length begins to change to an open water flow condition. Breakup is signaled by the breaking of the ice and often associated with ice jams and flooding. Breakup Date In hydrologic terms, date on which a body of water is first observed to be entirely clear of ice and remains clear thereafter. Breakup Jam In hydrologic terms, an ice jam that occurs as a result of the accumulation of broken ice pieces. Breakup Period In hydrologic terms, the period of disintegration of an ice cover. Breezy 15 to 25 mph winds. BRF Brief Bright Band A distinct feature observed by a radar that denotes the freezing level of the atmosphere. The term originates from a horizontal band of enhanced reflectivity that can result when a radar antenna scans vertically through precipitation. The freezing level in a cloud contains ice particles that are coated with liquid water. These particles reflect significantly more radiation (appearing to the radar as large raindrops) than the portions of the cloud above and below the freezing layer. The bright band can affect the ability of the NEXRAD algorithms to produce accurate rainfall estimates at far ranges because the algorithm may interpret reflectivity from the bright band as an overestimate of precipitation reaching the surface. Bright Surge on the Disk (BSD) In solar-terrestrial terms, a bright gaseous stream (surge) emanating from the chromosphere. Bright Surge on the Limb (BSL) In solar-terrestrial terms, a large gaseous stream (surge) that moves outward more than 0.15 solar radius above the limb. Brightness A basic visual sensation describing the amount of light that appears to emanate from an object, or more precisely, the luminance of an object. Brisk 15 to 25 mph winds. Brisk Wind Advisory A Small Craft Advisory issued by the National Weather Service for ice-covered waters. BRK Break BRN (Bulk Richardson Number) A non-dimensional number relating vertical stability and vertical shear (generally, stability divided by shear). High values indicate unstable and/or weakly-sheared environments; low values indicate weak instability and/or strong vertical shear. Generally, values in the range of around 50 to 100 suggest environmental conditions favorable for supercell development. Broadband A method of signaling in which multiple signals share the bandwidth of the transmission by the subdivision of the bandwidth into channels based on frequency. Brocken Specter An optical phenomenon sometimes occurring at high altitudes when the image of an observer placed between the sun and a cloud is projected on the cloud as a greatly magnified shadow. The shadow's head is surrounded by rings of color, called a glory. Broken Level A layer of the atmosphere with 5/8 to 7/8 sky cover (cloud cover). BS Blowing Snow BTR Better BTWN Between Bubble High A mesoscale area of high pressure, typically associated with cooler air from the rainy downdraft area of a thunderstorm or a complex of thunderstorms. A gust front or outflow boundary separates a bubble high from the surrounding air. Bubbler Gage In hydrologic terms, a water stage recording device that is capable of attaching to a LARC for data automation purposes. BUFKIT A software tool used by forecasters to examine the vertical profile and other aspects of the atmosphere. Bulk Richardson Number A non-dimensional (i.e., no units) number relating vertical stability to vertical shear (generally, stability divided by shear). High values indicate unstable and/or weakly-sheared environments; low values indicate weak instability and/or strong vertical shear. Generally, values in the range of around 50 to 100 suggest environmental conditions favorable for supercell development. Buoyancy The tendency of a body to float or to rise when submerged in a fluid; the power of a fluid to exert an upward force on a body placed in it. Burst In solar-terrestrial terms, a transient enhancement of the solar radio emission, usually associated with an active region or flare. Bust Slang for an inaccurate forecast, especially one where significant weather (e.g., heavy snowfall) is predicted but does not occur. Buttress Dam Buttress dams are comprised of reinforced masonry or stonework built a gainst concrete. They are usually in the form of flat decks or multiple arches. They require about 60 percent less concrete than gravity dams, but the increased form work and reinforcement steel required usually offset the savings in concrete. Many were built in the 1930's when the ratio of labor cost to materials was comparatively low. However, this type of construction is not competitive with other types of dams when labor costs are high. BWER Abbreviation for Bounded Weak Echo Region; a radar signature within a thunderstorm characterized by a local minimum in radar reflectivity at low levels which extends upward into, and is surrounded by, higher reflectivities aloft. This feature is associated with a strong updraft and is almost always found in the inflow region of a thunderstorm. It cannot be seen visually. BYD Beyond --- þ Synchronet þ The Thunderbolt BBS - wx1der.dyndns.org .